La Viña close to joining Oro mayoral race

AGRICULTURE undersecretary Joe Gabriel "Pompee" La Viña on Wednesday, October 10, said Mayor Oscar Moreno may not survive election day because of his graft cases that are being heard by the Sandiganbayan.

"I don't think he will even survive in the election day with all the cases against him. And that's my prediction. If I do run I'm running without worry because I know who I am I can take a lie detector test that I have never taken a single centavo. I can sign a bank waiver dungan mi ni mayor kay dili man sad fair nga ako lang usa," he said.

La Viña is likely joining the mayoral race in next year's polls after he was endorsed by the coalition party of the Padayon Pilipino and Centrist Democratic Party (CDP) led by former city mayor Vicente Emano and Rufus Rodriguez, respectively.

La Viña may form a tandem with opposition councilor Nadia Emano-Elipe as his running mate.

He said Emano-Elipe is the most qualified to lead the city's legislative body being a lawyer and an experienced member of the city council.

"If I run, my condition is.. it has to be Nadia and they were kind enough to let me choose. Mayor Dongkoy did not even interfere," he said.

La Viña also said that if he decides to run for the city's top post, it will be about giving the voting public an alternative choice, even as he said it would be his first and last attempt.

"I always believe in the wisdom of the Kagay-anons. If you look at the history of the city, people here are free thinkers," he said.

La Viña said if people would put him in the position, he would address the perennial problems on flooding, illegal drugs, and traffic which were not fully solved by the present administration.

La Viña asked: "How can you solve problems on illegal drugs, flooding and traffic when you are facing so many cases?"

He admitted, however, that Moreno, who is seeking a third and final term, is strong and hard to beat but he will leave it to the people's decision.

"It's sacrifice. I cannot turn CDO down though I haven't said yes yet. And if you look at my background I never back out. We still have time to reflect and finalize my decision," he added.

La Viña's bloodline is rooted in Cagayan de Oro City. His mother was the first elected lady councilor in the city.

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